Residents are concerned over ‘totally unnecessary’ proposals

Fears have surfaced over a supermarket’s plan to serve early morning alcohol in Kilburn.

Residents have expressed their concern at a “totally unnecessary” application from Aldi to serve alcohol from 7am and claim it will have a detrimental effect on the area.

The store, which will be in the High Road close to the junction with Quex Road, is due to open this spring but residents claim the area is already home to too many drinking establishments.

Kash Zafrani, building manager at Daynor House, a housing block behind the store, said: “If you look at the High Road there are so many off-licences and pubs serving alcohol. Why the need to start so early?

“It will be the earliest in the High Road. No-one else needs to serve it from then. It’s totally unnecessary”

Mr Zafrani added: “The area has already had problems with antisocial behaviour and this will not help.

“With two schools and a nursery both nearby it could have a detrimental effect on them also.”

The High Road, which Brent and Camden councils share responsibility for, has been the subject of much debate over recent years with its increase in off-licences and pay day loan companies.

Both authorities recently launched a £60,000 project to improve and regenerate the area.

A spokesman for Aldi said an alcohol licence was required to open the store from 7am and said the timing was “in-line with local competition.”

The spokesman added: “We are a responsible retailer and we apply a strict Challenge-25 policy that is clearly communicated to all our employees and customers.”

Camden Council’s licensing committee is due to hear the application.